Dorothy May Howard

Dorothy May Howard, 94, ofFriendswood, TX, and formerly of Indianapolis, IN, passed away on July 30,2017. She was born on January 27, 1923 in Putman County, IN to Raymond Thomasand Eva Lena (West) Leathers on the family farm. She was preceded in death byher husband Levy Clark Howard in 1991 and her brothers, Donald Eugene Lowe andHarold Edmond Leathers.

Growing up on a farmduring the Depression, Dorothy had so many interesting stories of farm life andlife before running water, indoor plumbing, electricity, telephones,television, automatic heat and processed foods. She got to see CharlesLindbergh fly over the farm and even went for a ride in an open cockpit biplanethat was barnstorming through the area. Dorothy loved choir and was always agood student. In high school she was class secretary and won two awards fromthe Daughters of the American Revolution for home economics and for best schoolspirit and high scholastic standing. After graduating from high school in 1941,Dorothy completed 2 years at the Central Normal College at Danville, IN whereshe took bookkeeping and secretarial classes. She had won a scholarship forcollege from Hendricks County, IN and from the Women’s Relief Corp, whichcomprised of descendants of Union Civil War soldiers who helped veterans of theCivil War like her Great Grandfather Hiram Thomas Storm. During World War II,Dorothy worked in cost accounting at the Insley Manufacturing Plant inIndianapolis, IN where they made excavators for the Seabees. After starting afamily, Dorothy stayed home, raising two children who were very active inmusic. Going back to work after the children grew up, Dorothy was a bookkeeperfor 20 years with the Indianapolis CPA firm Blue & Co. where she had thedistinction of being the first employee and the first retiree. She was not onlya bookkeeper but also performed many other office assistant roles as thecompany grew. She and husband Levy were active gardeners. Dorothy made the bestapplesauce from their apple tree and the crispiest cucumber pickles. Sheenjoyed trying new crafts, having dinner and Euchre card game parties withfriends and spending precious times with her grandchildren. She often proudly saidthat she was the “Grandma with wheels” as she jumped at chances to drive hergrandchildren as needed. Regardless of where she lived, Dorothy was an activechurch member. She grew up attending the North Salem Methodist Church. AtEmerson Avenue Baptist Church in Indianapolis, she ensured that her childrenhad a religious upbringing and served as the Church Treasurer. Dorothy was veryactive in Indianapolis’ Castleview Baptist Church Missions’ group, where theymade quilts and packaged food to send to sponsored missionaries. She enjoyedmeeting some of the missionaries and hearing about their unique experiences.After moving to Texas in 2004, Dorothy joined the Seabrook United MethodistChurch where she enjoyed fellowship in the women’s groups making crafts usedfor fundraising.

Dorothy is survived by herdaughter, Jenny May Stein (Robert) of Friendswood, TX; son, Allan Clark Howard(Diana) of Kerrville, TX; 3 grandchildren, Brian Clark Howard (Christine), LisaMarie Parrish (Jeremy) and Amy Louise Fosnot (Stephen); 2 great grandchildren, Erinand Alice; and her sister, Jennie Madge Jordan (Jack) of Eaton, Ohio; numerousnieces and nephews.

Funeral services will beheld 2:00 PM, Saturday, August 5, 2017 at Flanner and Buchanan-Washington ParkEast, 10722 E. Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46229. Visitation will be from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM. Burial in WashingtonPark East Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers,donations may be made to: Seabrook United Methodist Women of the SeabrookUnited Methodist Church, 3300 Lakeside Drive, Seabrook, TX 77586, (281)326-1970.Electronic donations may be made via their website www.seabrookumc.org.